The Animal
By: Peter VanBenthuysen
“SHREEEEK!” I woke up quickly trembling with fear not knowing what to expect. I quickly got out of bed not knowing what I am about to encounter. I heard the noise outside so I followed the demonic sound. As I opened the door I was abashed I couldn’t see a darn thing out there but while filled with horror and curiosity at the same time, I went outside anyway. While taking the first step outside, I hear the noise again “SHREEEEEK!” I looked all around me, wondering what in the world could’ve made that appalling noise. I took a few more steps filled with second thoughts about going outside. Then as I was walking towards my mailbox, my mind went blank, my feet stopped moving and I fell over and fainted.



I saw a faint light shining in my eyes thinking that it was a train light but then I woke up. The doctor was shining a light into my eyes and with my family surrounding me like a vulture around a juicy, plump, piece of meat. They all hugged me all thankful that I was ok. As I was feeling better, we left the ER. My mind still combobled, not knowing what happened my parents started to talk some sense into me. “ What were you thinking going out there at 3 in the morning?” Said my dad while giving me a confused look. “I don’t know I was curious…” I exclaimed while still wobbling to the car. “ I hope that you learned your lesson.” Said my mother. “ I did, don’t worry.” I said as we got into the car. When we got home I quickly grabbed a rake and I went outside to go hunt for the demonic animal. I hunted for hours trying to find “Satan’s little pet”
[which is what I decided to name it] and yet, no luck. I headed inside with my head hanging down that I did not fulfill my curiosity. I went to bed wide-awake not able to sleep. Then I heard the noise again “SHRREEEAAK” I know realized that it would only come out at night. So the next night I set up a tent outside so that I could finally find that execrable varmint. I waited all night long, listening to the owls speak to each other. Watching the breathtaking beauty of my backyard and then, I heard the noise.


“SHRREEEAAK” I hid under my sleeping bag not knowing what was out there I didn’t know if it could fly, or if it dig holes. I
didn’t know a thing about this living creature. I wasn’t prepared I was scared for my life. Filled with fear I darted into the house like a bull running for the red cape. When I was inside gasping for air, I went into the kitchen for a glass of water and it just so happened that my brother and sister Johnny and Margaret leaning on their elbows on the kitchen table with our dog Jimothy right next to Johnny. “What were you doing out there?” said Margaret as she took a bite of her cookie and sipped her milk. “ I..I was um exploring the wilderness.” I exclaimed hesitantly. “ I don’t think you were,” said Johnny in disgust “ I think that you went to go find that imaginary animal of yours.” “ But that’s not true!” I screamed. “Look, lets just all go to bed and keep this a secret, and Phil, if I catch you trying to go sneak out again mom and dad are going to get to deal with you next time got it?” “ Alright fine.” I said as I marched up to my room and then I went to bed and tried to forget about “Satan’s little pet.” “ It always rains when I need sunshine.” I murmured as I crawled into bed.


The next day we all had blueberry pancakes with a nice, tall glass of orange juice. They were superb, you could say that it was a great way to start out the day. As I was walking outside my brother Johnny gave me a scold to say to not get in to any trouble. I was going outside to go and clean up all of my mess that I had made that night. My friends came by wondering what I was doing so then they just left me alone. I was out there all day, trying to find that animal. I went inside and found my Johnny and Margaret laughing there head off and that’s when I said “What’s so funny you guys?” and then Johnny put his pale, cold hand on my shoulder and said “ It was a prank!” Then he started to laugh some more but I didn’t get it and that’s when he told me that he got a noisemaker from the prank shop. I didn’t want to talk to him for the rest of the day I was enraged but then again I was tired so I took a nice hot shower, put on my pajamas and went to bed at 3 pm and that’s when it hit me what prank that I was going to do to him!